[21 November 2017] ICASA has published a further draft of the Code for Persons with Disabilities after taking into consideration comments and recommendations from stakeholders received in respect of the November 2014 draft regulations. Draft Code for Persons with Disabilities 2017 Submissions are due by 19 December 2017 and can be sent to: Nditsheni HangwaniCode [...]

[10 November 2017] The Minister of Telecommunications and Postal Services has published the iKamva National e-Skills Institute Bill for public comment. Draft iKamva National e-Skills Institute Bill The purpose of the Bill is to provide for: the promotion of the use of information, communication and technology the establishment of iKamva National e- Skills Institute (iNeSI) [...]

[21 October 2017] The Information Regulator provided a status report to the Portfolio Committee for Justice and Correctional Services on 10 October 2017. Information Regulator Status Report 10 October 2017 Progress is slow.... __ [9 September 2017] The Information Regulator has published draft regulations under the Protection of Personal Information Act for public comment. Draft [...]

[9 October 2017] ICASA has initiated the process for collecting the data for the 2017 State of the ICT Sector Report, which will cover the period 1 October 2016 to 30 September 2017. The timelines involved are as follows: Date Activity 6 October 2016 - 30 November 2017 Questionnaire completed by the industry 1 [...]

[2 April 2017] The Department of Telecommunications and Postal Services has published a Draft Information and Communication Technology Small, Medium and Micro -Enterprise Support Strategy ("Draft ICT SMME Support Strategy") for public comment. Draft ICT SMME Support Strategy 31 March 2017 Comments are due by 30 April 2017 using email address ictsmmestrategy@dtps.gov.za marked for the [...]

[15 October 2016] As presented to the Portfolio Committee for Telecommunications and Postal Services on 13 October 2016. Broadband Infraco Annual Report 2015/16 Presentation of Broadband Infraco Annual Report 2015/16 __ [3 October 2015] Presentations made to the Portfolio Committee on Telecommunications and Postal Services indicate that some form of intervention by its shareholders - [...]

[12 August 2016] The following advice from consumer journalist Megan Powers, writing in the Sunday Times - Power Report: The naked truth about cellphone smut ripoff: HOW TO PROTECT YOURSELF Take advantage of network options to unsubscribe from Wasp subscription services.To terminate subscriptions with Vodacom, send "stop all" to 31050, for MTN dial *141*5#, and for [...]

[18 May 2016] The South African Civil Aviation Authority (“SACAA”) maintain a database of obstacles in proximity to runways, and have a set of guidelines and regulations governing this area. Should a service provider need to erect such a structure there is a relevant application form for the approval of obstacles, which can be completed [...]

[26 April 2016] The National Gambling Policy 2016 was published on 1 April 2016 under the National Gambling Act 2004. National Gambling Policy 2016 The following excerpt is relevant to Internet service providers in South Africa: 4.7.4 The NGR must establish and maintain a register of illegal gambling operators to ensure that these operators are [...]

[2 February 2016] The Women's Legal Centre has published A Simplified Guide to the Protection from Harassment Act - if you are experiencing what is or what you think is harassment, this is an excellent place to start. ___ [30 May 2013] The Protection from Harassment Act 17 of 2011 ("the PFHA") came into force on [...]

[30 September 2015] Notice has been given of public hearings to be held regarding the Position Paper and Draft Regulations on South African Local Content: Television and Radio (see lower on for links). The hearings are scheduled for 1 and 2 October 2015. Notice of Public Hearings - Dates and Agenda ICASA Is Convening Public [...]

[16 September 2015] The Maintenance Amendment Act 9 of 2015 has been published in the Government Gazette for general information. Maintenance Amendment Act 9 of 2015 While the majority of the Act came into force on publication on 9 September 2015, provisions relating to electronic communications service providers will only come into force at a [...]

[2 September 2015] Doing basic parental control of the content available on a mobile phone in South Africa is really simple. Unless you use Cell C or Telkom Mobile, in which case you will need to use a third party provider. There is really no excuse for not taking this most basic of measures if [...]

[12 August 2015] The Prevention and Combating of Trafficking in Persons Act 7 of 2013 came into force on 9 August 2015. The stated purpose of this Act is to give effect to the Republic’s obligations concerning the trafficking of persons in terms of international agreements; to provide for an offence of trafficking in persons and [...]

[10 August 2015] The Department of Trade and Industry has published the Copyright Amendment Bill 2015 for public comment. Copyright Amendment Bill 2015 Comments are due by 27 August 2015, and should be emailed to Meshendri Padayachy at MPadayachy@thdti.gov.za. The stated objective of the Bill is to amend the Copyright Act 98 of 1978, so as [...]

[8 August 2015] The Deputy-Minister of Telecommunications and Postal Services – Professor Hlengiwe Mkhize during a speech at the ICT Achievers Awards 2015 Media Launch – provided information on the 2012 Information and Communication Technology satellite account which was released during the first quarter of 2015.This satellite account provides an overview of the role that ICT [...]

[25 July 2015] The Minister of health has gazetted a Notice establishing a Ministerial Advisory Committee on e-Health and setting out its composition, functions, working procedure and the remuneration and allowances payable to its members. Establishment of Ministerial Advisory Committee on e-Health The Notice specifies the following definition of "e-Health": "e- Health" means the combined [...]

[10 November 2014] We are informed that the Department of Telecommunications and Postal Services handed over the doc.gov.za domain to the new Department of Communications effective 7 November 2014. Nominations should accordingly be sent to eadom@dtps.gov.za / zsibiya@dtps.gov.za. __ [3 November 2014] The Minister of Telecommunications and Postal Services has invited the public to submit nominations for members [...]

[8 October 2014] ICASA has withdrawn the Findings Document published in GG 36537 on 7 June 2013. No reasons for the withdrawal have been advanced. Withdrawal Findings Document Broadcasting Transmission Services 3 October 2014 __ [10 June 2013] ICASA has published its Findings Document to close off its Inquiry into Broadcasting Transmission Services. Findings Document [...]

[26 September 2014] ICASA has published draft Inquiry Prescribed Form Regulations for comment. Catchy title aside, the intention of the draft regulations is simply to prescribe the form which ICASA can use if it requires any person to provide information or to appear before it during the conduct of an inquiry under section 4B of [...]

[29 June 2014] Here is some simple advice on lodging a criminal complaint with SAPS if you are the victim of a cybercrime. Depending on which station you are reporting to you may have wildly-contrasting experiences - remember that patience and politeness are the most likely strategies to advance your own interests. Suggested process Draft as [...]

[3 June 2014] Our view on this judgement (external link) as expressed in an op-ed for Business Day. ‘Right to forget’ judgment will require careful balancing acts (external link to Business Day, may require free registration to view)

[16 April 2014] A Treasury press release provides further information: SARS is ready to start registering foreign based supplies of electronic services from 7 April 2014 Based on issues raised in submissions received in response to the draft of the regulations there was a concern was too wide as it included certain types of electronic services [...]

[16 March 2014] The University of the Witwatersrand, with the support and sponsorship of Microsoft SA, is hosting a national Colloquium on Cybersecurity in the Public Sector. This is intended to be a national discussion where pertinent government decision-makers, academics from Wits and other universities, and a number of prominent private sector participants will deliberate on the [...]

[25 June 2013] The Final Report in ICASA's Review of the Broadcasting Regulatory Framework towards a Digitally Converged Environment was published on 25 June 2013. The Conclusions section is set out below: Final Report on Review of Broadcasting Regulatory Framework June 2013 ___ 5 PART D: CONCLUSION 5.1 This broadcasting regulatory review process has resulted in [...]

The Consumer Protection Act (CPA) applies to ISPs, and if an ISP’s contracts or its processes do not comply with the CPA’s rather onerous provisions, this can have painful consequences. Annoyingly, the CPA will apply to an ISP’s smaller clients, but most of it will not apply to corporate clients. If an ISP wishes to [...]

There has been confusion for a long time as to whether or not a Line Maintenance Organisation (LMO) licence was required in order for an entity to connect a Private Branch Exchange (PBX) to Telkom's telecommunications network. Telkom's insistence on the production of an LMO licence prior to the installation of a software-based PBX taking [...]

ICASA recently released Handset Regulations governing primarily the relationship between cellular providers and their subscribers. The regulations were to come into force on 18 August 2008 but this date has been postponed after Vodacom indicated they would apply for an interdict preventing the implementation of the regulations - ICASA Media Release (ICASA website). Vodacom denied [...]

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